What is your opinion on the Lexus IS300?

"Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur" (velocity860) 12/02/2013 at 19:25 • Filed to: IS300

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My opinion is that they're pretty dang awesome, they drive wonderfully, and they look good. Others think they are kinda ricey (mainly because so many people stance them it's not even funny). Do you have an opinion worth sharing?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:27

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2JZ engine no shit.

scoob > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:27

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Want.

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:28

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Never associated them with being ricey. Pretentious, yes, not ricey.

There seems to be two types of owners: People who want a 4-door Supra but don't want to look immature, and people who just want to say "I own a Lexus" but want better gas mileage than a beater LS400.

Overall, they're good cars in my opinion, just misunderstood.

offroadkarter > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:30

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The gauge clusters are really cool

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > GhostZ 12/02/2013 at 19:31

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Gas mileage is not a strong point with these. The EPA estimate for the automatic is 17 city 23 highway on premium. That's terrible. The LS400 gets only one mile less to the gallon both city and highway. Lol. I would say I am a "wants a four door Supra" owner :V

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > offroadkarter 12/02/2013 at 19:33

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Those are the rare late model Altezza ones. The ones in the IS300 look awesome as well, but not quite that cool.

offroadkarter > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:34

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alright, alright

MonkeePuzzle > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:35

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well of course they SEEM ricey, Altezza lights are named for this car

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > offroadkarter 12/02/2013 at 19:37

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My view everyday :)

YSI-what can brown do for you > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:37

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2JZ. That is all.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > MonkeePuzzle 12/02/2013 at 19:37

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Yep. They look good on it though, unlike riced out Civics.

EL_ULY > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:38

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Good cars, fun to drive. Better than an e46, not as fast though. If your in the market, keep the mileage as low as possible as always. If you purchase one and have any question, i'm an ex Lexus master tech. hit me up buddy :]

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:38

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17/23 isn't bad at all for a 200+ HP 90s car. It's still better than a Mustang GT of similar vintage. I'm actually surprised the LS400 is not worse, considering how much heavier it seems. I really thought it would be closer to or below 15/20, being an executive car from that era.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > EL_ULY 12/02/2013 at 19:38

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I already have one! That's mine in the picture! 64k miles right now, bought it with 58k.

offroadkarter > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:39

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The only thing that sucks about buying a car with a cool gauge cluster

is the following model often has an even cooler one

EL_ULY > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:39

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cool frijoles buddy, any questions at all if you start doing work on it and get stuck let me know buddy :]

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > offroadkarter 12/02/2013 at 19:41

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The 06-13 IS did not have a very good cluster in comparison.

The new IS has an amazing one in the F sport model, looks like an LFA!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > GhostZ 12/02/2013 at 19:42

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But for how small it is, I'd expect at least 25 highway. And its at best a late 90s car. Mine's an 05

offroadkarter > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:43

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that first one isn't bad per se, the second one is awesome though

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:43

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I've always wanted a manual one, but alas they never made a manual is300 for Australia. Only the is200 and grey import Altezzas.

I'd probably red-out the taillights though. The clear lights haven't aged well.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > EL_ULY 12/02/2013 at 19:43

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The oil filter is a mega pain in the ass to change! And I ordered a new intake for it, but flipping Swift Racing still hasn't shipped it to me. I made a post earlier today about it. http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/it-still-hasnt…

Long Live the Longdoor > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:46

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I've always had a soft spot for them. Not sure why. I always admire them in parking lots.

I heard one accelerate away from a stoplight last week, it sounded reasonably glorious.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 12/02/2013 at 19:46

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I don't like the way the red ones look, actually. The clear ones look good on the IS, imo, especially with the dark chrome.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Long Live the Longdoor 12/02/2013 at 19:48

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They sound awesome, but the stock exhaust isn't any good. Too quiet!

Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin > YSI-what can brown do for you 12/02/2013 at 19:48

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If it lacks a turbo, is it still a 2JZ?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:50

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It's a Supra sedan, what more do you need to know?

But in all seriousness, it was pretty much the anti-Beamer. I have crazy amounts of respect for Lexus for building it. An then I lost so much respect when they tried to Germanize it in the second and third generations.

SonorousSpeedJoe > Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin 12/02/2013 at 19:51

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Yes. It's a 2JZ-GE as opposed to a 2JZ-GTE.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin 12/02/2013 at 19:52

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What Joe said

Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin > SonorousSpeedJoe 12/02/2013 at 19:52

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Ah. Thank you! I'm not well versed in the wide world of 2JZ.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 12/02/2013 at 19:53

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Actually, it's just a Toyota with more leather and sound dampening. And it was assembled by Kanto Auto Works. Even the Lexus ones, lol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanto_Aut…

Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin > Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin 12/02/2013 at 19:55

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Ah, thanks! I'm not well versed in the wide world of 2JZ.

SonorousSpeedJoe > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:58

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I much prefer this generation of IS to the latter two. I love that it's a RWD 4-door with a 2JZ, even if it isn't the revered 2JZ-GTE. IMO, the looks are great, too - the exterior is simple and clean, while the interior has the Rolex-esque gauge cluster and an inviting steering wheel that's uncluttered yet sporty-looking.

The IS300 and SC300 are two cars I'd love to own, but low-mileage examples with manual transmissions are hard to come by here in MD from what I've seen. If the IS300 had come stock with a little more power and the SportCross had a manual... the levels of want I have for this car would skyrocket.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 19:58

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they're probably the only car that can get away with it. everyone else looks really cheap.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > SonorousSpeedJoe 12/02/2013 at 19:59

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The aftermarket fixes all!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 12/02/2013 at 19:59

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Exactly! Copycats have ruined them

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 20:01

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I really like it, but the altezzas on the back ruin it for me!
does anyone make a good looking replacement taillight kit for this car?

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/02/2013 at 20:07

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I think they look good on the IS, really.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 20:10

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IMO Altezzas don't look good on anything... even an altezza. I'd rather have blacked out, smoked lenses than altezzas on it.
A man down my street has a dark blue one, though and it looks great from the side & front!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/02/2013 at 20:12

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In case my picture didn't show up for some reason, they do make red tail lights for the IS300. Just google it.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 20:18

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oh, it showed up now, sorry!
yeah, those look much nicer :D !

Dunnik > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 20:20

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I don't like Lexuses. Lexi? Lexussess? Toyotas with lipstick, a rich woman's car.

But I do like the IS300.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Dunnik 12/02/2013 at 20:26

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I like Lexuses. Just not the beige ones (ES, RX, etc)

MonkeePuzzle > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 20:41

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disagree. I've seen some converted to coloured lenses, so much better

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > MonkeePuzzle 12/02/2013 at 20:42

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Imo, the red ones look good, but so do the clear. Oh welllll

RacecaR > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 21:00

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Kind of glad you out this up. I keep thinking of one of these for my next daily. Just not sure i will be able to find a good low mileage one when I'm ready to buy. Just not sure I want a 2nd gen IS. The first ones just look so much better.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > RacecaR 12/02/2013 at 21:09

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Definitely hold out for a 1st gen

MonkeePuzzle > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 21:17

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IMO I would drive the heck outta either. love these. comfy and sporty. even ok room in the rear seat and trunk. and actual all rounder

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > MonkeePuzzle 12/02/2013 at 21:20

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The rear seats don't have much room- but they are the most comfortable things ever. Seriously. Especially with the full leather package. The armrest is the squishiest thing ever

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 21:33

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One of the best cars Toyota ever built. Besides the somewhat underpowered stock 2JZ (nothing the aftermarket can't fix) and the rarity/crappness of the manual trans I honestly can't think how Toyota could have made it better. Shame the Lexus of today is so far removed from this....

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Somethingwittyer likes noisy 12/02/2013 at 21:42

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They're getting back into it! Look at the F sport/ F models. The new GS F Sport drives better than the 5 series for pete's sake. The styling might be love it or hate it, but I'd say they are doing well. From 06-12 though, they were kinda crap

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 22:14

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Chassis is good, I'll give them that.

spadez > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 22:39

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My family had a first gen one for a long time until 10 years later the electronics messed up. We sold it, my olders brothers missed it a lot and said it was a fun small car. I kinda missed it too because it was the first car I ever drove under age. I always thought it was a cool car and i would like to buy one in the future.

revrseat70 > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/02/2013 at 22:45

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Haven't you asked this question a couple times before? We still think it's great.

revrseat70 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/02/2013 at 22:48

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I know what you mean though. The hondas that copied the altezza lights and the yellow fog lights ruined it for IS owners. When I had mine, I was asked about my civic once or twice by people who didn't know better, and one who should have.... Its like a punch to the kidney. However, I opened up the tails and tinted my four bulbs and painted the inside of the housings Graphite Gray to match the car, and no one messed it up after that. Sometimes I miss that car

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > revrseat70 12/02/2013 at 22:54

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No I haven't lol. Any of my posts on it were about something else, and people just said how much they loved it in the comments. I wanted to see if anyone disliked it with this post, actually.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > revrseat70 12/02/2013 at 23:17

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sounds nice!
and personally, I like yellow fog lights...
They look cool on specific cars!

Redd, the RX-7 that could > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/03/2013 at 00:59

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It is my opinion that a red Lexus IS300 wagon in person is the sexiest wagon ever made.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/03/2013 at 01:31

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Well you can decide if this is worth sharing or not. But back in the day this was almost a better car (numbers wise) than the E46 330i. So, take that for what you will. I don't know anybody that owns one that doesn't like it. They are great cars, for sure.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin 12/03/2013 at 01:33

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jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/03/2013 at 02:44

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The only thing better about the 06-13 IS cluster was its ring of sequential shift light LEDs... that's actually pretty darn awesome. Otherwise, yeah, just vanilla.

revrseat70 > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur 12/03/2013 at 12:27

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Oh, word. I wasn't trying to rain on your parade. Just answering while confirming my tendencies for dejavu

revrseat70 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 12/03/2013 at 12:30

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I love the yellow fogs. It was great to be able to tell a fellow IS owner was coming from two miles away. But It was frustrating that Honda/Acura owners flooded the market with them and deluded the design. It happens with everything though. Its what keeps modding culture ever-changing.

And thanks! I never saw another pair like 'em